5 things you missed: Samsung, smart appliances and more

If you don’t want to get off the couch to control the thermostat, a solution could be around the corner thanks to the Samsung TV SDK 5.0. The software development kit will allow programmers to create apps to control home appliances via Smart TVs.

Samsung will unveil the full SDK at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 6.

The app is compatible with LG’s refrigerators and robotic vacuum cleaners, so if you are leaving town you would just tell the app you’ll be away and it will program everything for you. It also updates you on what’s inside the fridge and gives you cleaning tips.

If you’ve only heard of an Atari – but have no idea how great it was – you can now play older games from your browser without any plugins. From Archive.org, pick a game and a “cartridge” and enjoy. They even come with how-to manuals. What consoles are available from your browser?

Business Insider is calling a new Kickstarter-based app one of the best language learning programs on the market. Forever Fluent is a pronunciation trainer and book that helps students – or just those curious about new languages – learn by training the ear to hear the slight differences between words in foreign languages.

The new Mr. Postman app has also hit Kickstarter and with a $180 pledge, you could have a smart mailbox. How does it work? You buy the mailbox and the accompanying app will notify you when a package has been picked up or dropped off.